Sunderland target Jozy Altidore geared up to play in Premier League

Sunderland target Jozy Altidore has revealed he is keen on a return to the Premier League this summer

Jozy Altidore clashes with former Sunderland defender Alan Hutton resulting in a red card for both players during the

USA international Jozy Altidore - who spent a season on loan in the English top flight with Hull three years ago - scored 31 goals for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar last term and heads Sunderland’s list of attacking targets.

Italian Serie A side Lazio are also interested, but the 23-year-old says it would be a ‘pleasure’ to play in the Premier League again.

The £7m-rated Altidore said: “It is a fantastic league, anyone will tell you that.

“If you look at everything, the Premier League is probably the biggest league in the world.

“Everybody knows that and it would be a pleasure to play in a league like that again.”

Altidore scored just once in 28 games for Hull, but insists he is a better player now than when he played for the Tigers.

He added: “I think I was 19 or just turned 20 and I had not played in Europe before that.

“I have come a long way since then.

“I am almost a different player and I have learned a lot.

“So I don’t think there is any resemblance to that time if I went back to the league any time soon.”

Sunderland are also closing in on a deal to sign Arsenal’s Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone, the Black Cats reported to have agreed a fee with the Gunners.

Simon Mignolet’s move to Liverpool means Keiren Westwood will be first-choice next season.

However, Paolo Di Canio wants to bring in back-up and 25-year-old Mannone – who has made 15 league appearances in seven years with Arsenal – fits the bill.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Elmohamady has joined newly promoted Hull.

The Egyptian winger spent much of last season on loan at the KC Stadium and the deal included a ï¿½2m option to make the move permanent.

The 25-year-old, who joined Sunderland in 2010, has signed a three-year deal.

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